Steffi

BLACK AND BLUE TOUR REVIEW

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 denoting a poor performance and 10 denoting a perfect performance, I would rate the BSB’s Black and Blue World Tour as a 7.25.

In contrast to the Savage Garden Concert ( Savage Garden Concert Review ), the Backstreet Boys show was more of a musical entertainment extravaganza, with emphasis on beautiful harmonies, choreographed dance moves and pyrotechnic explosives and lighting. First and foremost, the actual singing itself is always the fundamental ingredient for a successful concert; the Boys delivered slow ballads in impeccable, 5-part harmonies and up-tempos in almost unfaltering voices. When it came time to put on the dancing shoes, the Boys executed the R&B hip hop moves with utmost precision, but also with a seeming naturalness, as if the dancing was freestyle and not choreographed. Finally, in the name of entertainment, the Boys set the singing and dancing showcase to a backdrop of pyrotechnic explosions and elaborate spot lighting, pumping the crowd with adrenaline at all the right times.

To begin the concert, the crowd beheld breathlessly as an intense shower of meteors hit planet earth on the massive television screen suspended atop the front stage. After a series of bombs and detonations, who else should come to the rescue of the human race but the "incredible Backstreet Boys"? The Boys, dancing their dead-on moves in leather, thanked the crowd in "Everyone" and “Larger Than Life,” the fan appreciation anthems. After changing into outfits baring more skin, the Boys continued with the up-beat material, singing “Shining Star,” and flirting with the audience by shaking their bon-bons. They slowed down with “What Makes You Different” and sported silver walking stick dance props for “Yes I Will," comparable to the hat routine in “All I Have to Give”. With “More Than That,” the back-up dancers took the smoke-filled stage in graceful costumes and slow-danced with select BSB members. As can always be expected at a Backstreet Boys concert, the fans finally got to croon along to a song, as the Boys paused “I Want It That Way” in some key areas and let the crowd sing. The pace picked up again with "Not for Me," and the Boys had edgier shirts matched with dark pants. Then they sung another slow ballad, "Show Me the Meaning" as they interacted with fans on either side of the stage. An intermission was obviously next, since Nick asked the fans if they would like to see AJ strip down and put on his next costume. [A/N: finally, something to warrant the $92CAD paid PER ticket, plus ticketmaster aka rip-off-your-money-and-run-master service charges] A box labeled “Backstreet Boys Wardrobe” was hauled out onto the center of the stage and the Boys took turns jumping into the box. A camera followed the Boys around as they "prepared" for the second half of the concert in an underground dressing room.

For the opening of the second half of the concert, the Boys had ventured to the other side of the arena, and when they rose up onto a smaller stage, fans rushed to the lower barricades. In casual “street clothes,” they sang "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and AJ’s co-written composition, "Promise You,” while girls frantically attempted to throw roses on stage. As they began to harmonize for "Time," a giant bridge-like apparatus descended from the ceiling, connecting the smaller stage with the front stage. The Boys walked across the bridge slowly as they sang [A/N: trying to be poetic and showing the passing of time as they walked across the bridge, perhaps?; very clever Kevin] and Kevin and Brian reached down over the bridge to touch hands. When they eventually reached the other end, Kevin took some time out to inform the audience of the charities that each Boy is involved in. He even told us British Columbians some interesting facts about endangered bears of BC, in true Kevin-the-enunciator style, and promised that his environmental charity “Just Within Reach” would donate to help save them. The BSB save the world anthem, "The Answer to Our Lives" followed this announcement. Afterwards they launched into a medley of "All I Have to Give" and "If You Stay," complete with the renowned hat dance. The backing touring members were given short introductions while the Boys had another wardrobe change.

When they re-graced the stage, they announced their presence with “Backstreet’s back, all right” and sang "Everybody." Nick even strapped on a guitar and played a few chords. "Get Another Boyfriend,” ensued, with the re-emergence of the R&B dance moves that were at the beginning of the concert. AJ’s cell-phone began to ring conveniently afterwards, and he told the voice on the line that “The Call” would be the last song of the evening.

However, all the Vancouverites would not let Boys escape so easily and started to pound their feet on the ground and yell with their aching voices. The Boys took pity on the ailing teenybopper voices and came back for an encore of “Shape of My Heart.” After the performance, the audience gave a long, well deserved, standing ovation.

Pictures taken at the concert will be scanned and posted shortly. [A/N: or never, depending on my laziness]

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Steffi